Help others build for success at the 2025 Planning Commissioners Academy

By Cal Cities Education Staff

The League of California Cities is seeking session proposals for the Planning Commissioners Academy, taking place March 5-7, in Santa Rosa. The academy will offer sessions for both commissioners fresh in their roles and seasoned planning commissioners who need a refresher course or new strategies.

Cal Cities is seeking thorough, thoughtful, and complete proposals that tell how your session can help planning commissioners improve their communities, leadership abilities, and knowledge within their roles.

Noncommercial submissions from any individual, group, business, or organization on any topic are welcome. Session proposals must be submitted online by Monday, Sept. 23.

This conference offers panel discussions, speed sessions, facilitated discussions, and opportunities for keynote speakers. This year, members have indicated an interest in the following topics:

• How to update a general plan.
• Planning in small/rural cities.
• How to be an effective chair and chair a meeting.
• Public conduct.
• Working with county supervisors.
• Addressing defamation/libel toward a commissioner or planning staff.
• How commissioners can support staff.
• Marketing trends in development projects.
• Development review/entitlement process.
• Evaluating how a project will age.
• Density bonus applications.

Member-driven and member-led programming is a cornerstone of Cal Cities’ educational activities. More than 95% of all programming comes directly from our open calls for proposals. For more information contact Associate Manager, Event Program, Kayla Boutros.